Apparatus for printing selected sections of a printing form



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APPARATUS FOR PRINTING SELECTED SECTIONS OF A PRINTING FORM Filed Jan. 27, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Q Q Q A '1 I nay/ 21 g Inventors? w lLH'l-M QWLQIZFELP. cerium-7 T -w 1967 w. RITZERFELD ET AL 3,358,593

APPARATUS FOR PRINTING SELECTED SECTIONS OF A PRINTING FORM Filed Jan. 27, 1959 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 M 8 MW Q Y9 4/ J 2 fi i? R! United States Patent 3,358,593 APPARATUS FOR PRINTING SELECTED SECTIONS OF A PRINTING FORM Wilhelm Ritzerfeld, Schorlemer Allee 14, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany, and Gerhard Ritzerfeld, Franzensbader Strasse 21, Berlin-Grunewald, Germany Filed Jan. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 789,426 Claims priority, application Germany, Jan. 31, 1958, R 22,593; July 2, 1958, R 22,641 12 Claims. (Cl. 10191) The present application is a continuation-in-part application of our copending application Ser. No. 769,926, filed Oct. 27, 1958 (now abandoned).

The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing selected sections of a printing form, and more particularly to a rotary duplicating machine for duplicating selected sections of a master sheet on copy sheets which pass through a printing line between the printing roller and a counter pressure roller.

Printing and duplicating machines performing this function are known, and it is one object of the present invention to provide a printing machine which is of particularly simple construction, can be economically manu factured, and is easy to operate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing or duplicating machine with printing members respectively associated with sections of a printing form, and to provide means for selectively moving such printing members to printing positions in which the printing members effect printing of the respective associated sect-ions of the printing form on copy sheets.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing or duplicating machine in which the spacing between the axes of the printing roller and the counter pressure roller is constant, while nevertheless selected sections of the print-ing form are printed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a duplicating or printing machine for printing selected lines or paragraphs of a text on copy sheets.

A related object of the present invention is to provide a printing or duplicating machine for printing selected columns of a text on copy sheets.

With these objects in view, the present invention mainly consists in a printing or duplicating machine which comprises, in combination, printing roller means having means for holding a printing form; counter pressure roller means cooperating wit-h the printing roller means; a plurality of printing members having adjacent pressure faces respec tively associated with corresponding sections of the printing form, the printing members being mounted on one of the roller means movable between a retracted inoperative position and an advanced printing position in which the pressure faces define a printing line with the peripheral surface of the other roller means; and control means for selectively moving each of the printing members to and from its printing position for selecting desired sections of the printing form for printing.

The peripheral surfaces of the printing roller means and counter pressure roller means are spaced from each other so that the printing form cannot product an imprint on a copy sheet passing through the printing line. However, when selected printing members are moved to the advanced printing position, the smooth outer faces of the printing members cooperate with the peripheral surface 3,358,593 Patented Dec. 19, 1957 "ice of the other roller means, and press the corresponding sections of the printing form against the copy sheet so that only the same are imprinted.

The printing members can be mounted either on the printing roller, or on the counter pressure roller. If the printing members are mounted on the printing roller, sections of the flexible printing form are pushed outwardly by selected advanced printing members, and consequently contact the copy sheet when passing through the printing line. If the printing members are provided on the counter pressure roller, sections of the copy sheet are pushed out wardly so that the printing form engages such sections when the same pass through the printing line. In view of the above explanation, it will become apparent that the term printing member is used in the present application to define a member which does not produce a direct imprint, but which brings a corresponding section of a printing form into printing contact with a'copy sheet.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the printing members extend in axial direction of the respective roller means so that if lines of the printing form are to be printed, the printing form must be arranged with the lines extending in axial direction. If columns are to be printed, the printing form must be arranged with the columns of its text extending in axial direct-ion.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the printing members are substantially sector-shaped, and have peripheral surfaces including a cylindrical pressure face which is concentric with the axis of the respective roller means. If lines of the printing forms are to be printed by the machine constructed according to this embodiment, the printing form must be arranged with its lines extend ing in circumferential direction and located on respective associated printing members. If columns are to be printed, the lines of the printing form extend in axial direction, so

that the columns extend in circumferential direction of the respective roller means, and are located on respective associated printing members.

The printing members are only effective if they are in advanced printing position, and are moved to such advanced printing position either by mechanical means, or by electrical means. In one embodiment of the present invention electromagnetic means are mounted in the roller means which support the printing members, and operate the printing members to move to an advanced position' when the circuit of the respective electromagnetic means is closed by a switch controlled by suitable selector means, such as a selector key.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the selector keys control operating members for the printing members to move the printing members to printing posi tion. In this embodiment, cam means are provided for returning the operating members to normal inoperative position so that the printing members also return to inoperative positions under the action of spring means.

In another embodiment of the present invention, operating members which are shiftable in axial direction are associated with the print-ing members and move with the printing positions before they pass through the printing 3 line. After printing members have passed through the printing line, other stationary cam means return the operating members to inoperative positions.

Such shifting of the operating members in axial direction to operative positions can be either carried out by key-controlled Bowden cable means, or by key-controlled electromagnetic means. Instead of mechanical cam means for returning the operating members to inoperative positions, electromagnetic return means can be provided.

further modified embodiment of the present invention includes shiftable cam means which are shifted between a plurality of positions for successively shifting the operating members and printing members to printing positions. Such shifting is carried out while the respective roller means on which the printing members are mounted, is at a standstill. Preferably, the shiftable cam means is shifted one step at the end of each revolution of the respective roller means so that successive printing members are held in printing position during successive revolutions of the roller means carrying the printing members. In this manner, consecutive lines, or columns are printed during successive revolutions of the printing roller.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic side view of a duplicating machine according to the present invention, with the conventional elements of the machine omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary axial sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of a duplicating machine according to another embodiment of the present invention with conventional elements omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a detail of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a printing roller according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 with conventional elements of the duplicating machines omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a modified embodiment of the present invention in which the selector means include Bowden cable means;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the present invention, partly in section taken on line IX.IX in FIG. 11;

FIG. 10. is a cross-sectional view taken on line XX in FIG. 11 with certain elements omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 11 is a schematic axial sectional view taken on lines XI XI in FIGS. 9 and and FIG. 12 is an axial sectional view of a modified embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a'duplicating or printing roller 2 is mounted on a shaft 1 and is connected through gear means 4, 5, 6 and 7 to the shaft 8 of a counter pressure roller means 9. A printing form, shown to be a master sheet 3 is mounted on the peripheral surface of printing roller'means 2, and has a plurality of sections or lines designated 1.Z26.Z. It will be noted that the peripheral surfaces of roller means 2 and 9 are spaced from each other.

Roller means 2 and 9 define a printing plane FE passing through the axes of shafts 1 and. 8. Copy sheets 22 are supplied by transporting rollers 20 and 21 to the bight between the roller means and to the printing plane. Moistening means 20a are. provided for moistening the copy sheets as required for duplicating operations The counter pressure roller means 9 includes two end plates 10 which are fixedly secured to shaft 8. Each end plate has a plurality of radially extending slots 201 which are respectively aligned in axial direction. A plurality of printing members 11 is mounted between the end plates 10, each printing member having two pins 202 projecting into the respective pair of slots 201 and being slidable therein for guiding the respective printing member 11 for movement in radial direction between a retracted inoperative position 11a, and an advanced printing position 11b, as shown in FIG. 1. Each printing member 11 has a pair of recesses 203 in which are mounted cam follower rollers 19 which respectively project out of the printing members to cooperate with cams 18 on an asso ciated operating member 16. Each operating member is mounted in a pair of guide openings 204 in the end plates 10 shiftable in axial direction, and is urged by a spring 17 secured to one end plate and to the respective control member 16 to move to the right as viewed in FIG. 2. A set of electromagnetic means 12 is mounted in the cavity of roller means 9, and the armatures of the electromagnetic means 12 are connected by links 15 to associated operating members 16. When any selected electromagnetic means 12 is energized, the respective operating member 1.6 is pulled to the left in direction of the arrow C in FIG. 2, and assumes the illustrated position in which the cam means 18 urge cam followers 19 in outward direction so that the respective printing member is moved to its advanced printing position. Springs 23 are connected to pins 205, and to corresponding pins 202 secured to the printing members, so that the printing members are inwardly urged to their inoperative retracted position which they can only assume when the respective operating members 16 are shifted to the right as viewed in FIG. 2 by springs 17 after the electromagnetic means 12 have been de-energized.

An insulating member 210 is secured to shaft 8 for rota tion therewith, and supports a plurality of slip rings 14 which are respectively connected to the electromagnetic means 12. It will be appreciated that for each section of the printing form, one printing member 11, one electromagnetic means 12, and one slip ring 14 is preferably provided. A slide contact 13 slides on each slip ring during rotation of roller means 9, and is connected into a circuit including a source of current 211 and a switch 212 which is normally open. Each switch 212 is associated with a selector key 213, and upon operation of a selector key 213, the respective switch 212 is closed and the circuit cf the respective electromagnetic means 12 is completed so that the same is energized, and shifts the respective printing member 11 to its printing position. The number of selector key 13 corresponds to the number of sections of the printing form, so that by operation of selected keys 213, the respective associated section of the printing form is selected for printing.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 operates as follows:

When the machine is not in operation, the springs 23 retract the printing members 11 to the inoperative positions 11a. Assuming that sections 1.Z, 2.Z, 3.Z 4.2, 8.Z, and ZLZ are to be printed, the respective associated keys 213, which may carry suitable indicia, are depressed and locked in depressed position so that the respective associated switches 212 are closed and effect energization of the respective associated electromagnetic means 12. The energized electromagnetic means 12 shift the respective associated operating members 16 into the position shown in FIG. 2 so that the associated printing members 11 are shifted to the advanced printing position in direction of the arrows D, since the cam follower roilers 19 roll on the cams 18. This position is shown in the lower portion of FIG. 1 at 11b.

The roller means 2 and 9 are now rotated at the same rotary speed through gears 4, 5, 6, and 7, while one of the roller means is driven by suitable motor, not shown. During each revolution of the roller means 2 and 9, one copy sheet 22 is supplied to the printing plane F-E, and moved through the same. The printing members 11 which are in the inoperative retracted position 11a cannot produce any imprint on the copy sheet. However, the printing members 11 advanced to printing position 1112 have their pressure faces 116 so far advanced that they will press a copy sheet against the respective associated section of the printing form when the copy sheet passes the printing line defined by the pressure faces 110 in the printing plane FE. in this manner, the first four lines of printing form will be printed, but when the fifth section or line 5.Z passes through the printing plane FB, a retracted printing member will pass through the printing plane, and consequently, no pressure will be exerted on the copy sheet for pressing the same against the printing form, and no imprint will be made on the copy sheet. Only when section 8.2 passes through the printing plane FXE, the respective portion of the copy sheet will be pressed against the same by printing member 11 which was previously advanced by operation of the selector key 213 associated with section 8.Z. When switches 212 are opened, the printing members are returned to inoperative positions by springs 23.

If it is desired to print the entire text on the printing form 3, all keys 213 are depressed, so that all printing members 11 assume operative printing positions.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the arrangement is reversed. The printing roller 2a is mounted on a shaft 1 and supports a flexible master sheet. Conventional clamping means 212 hold the master sheet 3. The printing roller means 2a cooperates with a counter pressure roller means 24 in the printing plane E-F. The counter pressure roller means 24 is mounted on an eccentric member 27 which is turnable with a shaft 27a. Normally, the counter pressure roller means 24 is in the illustrated position in which its peripheral surface is spaced from the peripheral surface of the printing roller means 2a. Transporting rollers 26 and 21 feed copy sheets 22 to the printing plane E-F. In this embodiment, the printing members 11 are mounted on the printing roller means. The printing roller means has two end plates 100 which are fixedly secured to shaft 1 and have radial slots 201 in which pins 292 of the printing members 11 are slidably mounted for guiding the respective printing member 11 in radial direction. Springs 23 urge the printing members to the retractive inoperative positions, and the cam follower rollers 19 of the printing members 11 ride up on cams 18 of operating members 116 when the same are shifted to the left as viewed in FIG. 4 to the illustrated position. When operating members 116 are shifted to the right, the respective springs 23 retract the respective printing member 11. Each operating member 116 passes through guide openings 204 in the end plates 16%, and the projecting end portions 116a of the operating members can be manually operated for shifting the operating members 116 in direction of arrow G for advancing printing members 11, or in opposite direction for permitting retraction of the printing members 11 by springs 23. A stop 26 on each operating member 116 limits its movement to the right.

The printing form 3 has again printing section 1.Z26.Z. The printing members 11 associated with the printing sections 1.Z4.Z, 8.2 and 211 are again shown in advanced position 11b. The other printing members are in the retracted position 11a.

The advanced printing members 11 have pressure faces 11c which in the advanced position of the printing members are sufiiciently close to the surface of counter pressure roller 24 to press the respective section of the printing form against the copy sheet and the counter pressure roller. Printing members 11 in retracted position 11a cannot produce any pressure between the printing form 3 and the copy sheet when the same pass through the printing plane E-F, and consequently the respective sections of the printing form are not printed.

Operating members 116 are held in shifted position by catch springs 25 engaging corresponding recesses in the operating members 116.

When it is desired to print the entire text on the printing form 3, it is not necessary to move all printing members 11 to advanced positions, since the counter pressure roller can be advanced toward the printing roller 2a by turning the eccentric member 27, so that all printing members 11 may remain in the retracted inoperative position.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a manual operation of the printing members, but it will be understood that this embodiment may be provided with electromagnetic operating means, and with a suitable selector means for selectively operating such electromagnetic means, as described with reference to FIG. 2.

In the description of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. and FIGS. 3 and 4, the sections of the printing form were described to be lines. It will be understood that such sections could also be paragraphs consisting of several lines, or columns. In this event, it would be necessary to arrange the printing form on the respective roller means in such a manner that the lines of the text extend in circumferential direction, and the columns of the text extend in axial direction and are located on the printing members 11 in the embodiment of FIG. 3, or cooperate with printing members 11 in the embodiment of FIG. 1, which can be obtained by suitably spacing the printing members 11, and the columns of the printing form 3.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the printing members 31 do not extend in axial direction, but in circumferential direction. This necessitates placement of the printing form 32 in a position in which the lines thereof extend in circumferential direction of the printing roller 30 if selected lines are to be printed. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 5. If it is desired to pn'nt columns, the printing form must be arranged with the columns extending in circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, a printing roller 30 cooperates with a counter pressure roller 35 mounted on a leverv 37 which is urged by spring 36 against a stop 38. Clamping means 2b hold the master sheet 32 on the printing roller 30. Copy sheets 22 are fed to the bight between the roller means 30 and 35 by transporting rollers 20 and 21.

The construction of the printing members is best seen in FIG. 6 The printing members 31 are arcuate and have slots 131 for guiding the printing members on guide pins 44 in radial direction. The center portion of each printing member 31 has a cylindrical pressure face concentric with the axis of shaft 1, while the end portions of each printing member pass into a cavity in the printing roller 30. Preferably, guide slots 31a guide each printing member 31 in a plane perpendicular to the axis of shaft 1.

The end portions of each printing member 31 are' articulated by pins 132 and 132a to two toggle lever means 43, 41 and 43a, 41a which are re pectively mounted on pins 42 and 42a in the printing roller means 30. The ends of levers 41 and 41a carry a pin 40 which engages a slot 39a in the armature 39 of an electromagnetic means 34 mounted on a support 134 on an inwardly projecting portion 135 of the printing roller means 30. In order to save space, every second electromagnetic means 33 is inclined in opposite direction. It will be understood that a set of electromagnetic means 33, 34 is respectively associated with the printing members 31. Springs 133 engage flanges on armatures 39 and are compressed when the electromagnetic means attracts its armature. Each of the electromagnetic means 33, 34 is connected into a circuit of the type shown in FIG. 2

so that by operation of the respective selector key means 213, selected electromagnetic means 33, 34 can be energized to attract their armatures 39.

This embodiment operates as follows:

When selected keys 213 are depressed, the respective associated electromagnetic means 34 are energized so that the armatures 39 move the associated toggle lever means from the position 141, 14111 to the position 41, 41a. In this position, the respective lever 43, 43a is aligned with the adjacent portion of levers 41, 41a so that the respective printing member is firmly pressed to its advanced printing position, and held in such printing position. When the printing roller and counter pressure roller are rotated, only portions of the printing form 32 located on the pressure faces of the printing members 31 will be pressed against the copy sheet and against the counter pressure roller.

When the electromagnetic means are again de-energized, springs 133 will retract the respective associated toggle lever system so that printing members 31 are retracted to an inoperative position.

Referring to FIG. 8, the embodiment illustrated is simliar to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, inasmuch as printing members 11 extend in axial direction and are urged to springs 23 to move in radial direction to an inoperative position. Operating members 16 have cam portions 18 acting on rollers 19 on the respective printing members 11 to shift printing members 11 outwardiy in radial direction when the operating members 16 are shifted in axial direction. Each operating member 16 has a head portion 54 cooperating with a hook-shaped selector member 53 which is springloaded and operated by Bowden cable means 51 which pass through a tubular element 52. Each Bowden cable 51 is operated by a selector key 50. FIG. 8 shows an operating member 16 in operative position, and the associated printing member in printing position. When the operating member 16 is in its inoperative position, the head 54 is engaged by the associated selector member 53 so that operation of key 50 will shift the operating member to the illustrated operative position. Such selection is carried out while the printing roller 2a is at a standstill, and each operating member is radially aligned with a selector member 53. A return cam means 55 is provided, and engages during rotation of the printing roller 2a operating members in operative position for returning the same by the inclined face 56 to inoperative position. The position of cam means 55 is such that the respective operating members are returned to inoperative position after the associated printing members 11 have passed through the printing line and effected the printing of the. respective associated section of the printing form.

The arrangement shown in FIG; 8 is operated in the following manner:

While the printing roller is at a standstill, and all printing members 11 are retracted, the selector members are engaged by the heads of the associated operating members 16, The selector keys of selected printing sections are actuated so that the associated operating members are shifted in axial direction by selector members 53 and assume the illustrated operative position in which earns 18 have moved the respective associated printing mem ber 11 to printing position. Catch means 25 hold the shifted operating members 16 in operative positions. The printing roller is rotated and the desired imprints of selected sections of the printing form are produced on the copy sheets as previously described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. After each printing member has passed through the printing line, the respective operating memer 16 is engaged by face 56 of return cam means 55 and returned to inoperative position. Consequently, the printing roller has to be set after each revolution for selection of other desired printing sections.

However, the return cam means is shiftable to the left as viewed in FIG. 8 in direction of the arrow N to a position in which it does not engage operating members 16 in operative positions. A catch means 155 cooperates with notches in cam means 55 to hold cam means 55 in such inoperative position. Since the operating members 16 are not shifted back to inoperative positions when cam 55 is shifted to its inoperative position, the same sections of the printing form are printed during repeated revolutions of the printing roller 2a.

Referring now to the embdirnent illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, a printing roller means 20 is mounted on shaft 1 which is supported for turning movement in walls 63. A plurality of printing members 56 is mounted on the printing roller shiftable in radial direction between a retracted inoperative position and an advanced printing position. A printing form 3 extends around the peripheral surface of the printing roller and lies on the peripheral surfaces of the printing members 5-5. A first holding means 201 holds one end of the printing form 3, and a second holding means 202 holds the other end of the printing form 3 and is located in a cavity of the printing roller means. The second holding means includes a clamp 87 and a spring 88 which tensions the printing form so that it smoothly lies on the outer surfaces of the printing members 56. This is further improved by a device 85, 86, shown in FIG. 10, which includes a member 85 extending in axial direction of the printing roller 2c and slidably engaging the surface of the printing form 3 to urge the same against the printing members. Member 85 is pivotally mounted on a stationary pin 185, and is urged by spring 86 to engage the printing form during rotation of the printing roller If this device is provided, the second holding means 202 may be omitted since the frictional engagement between member 85 and the printing form will hold the printing form on the printing members during the rotation of the printing roller.

As best seen in FIG. 11, printing members 56 are mounted on the printing roller 20 movable in radial direction to a printing position. Springs 57 and 58 are secured to pins on the printing members 56 and urge the same inwardly to an inoperative position. An operating member including a rod 59 and rollers 60, 61 and 62 is associated with each printing member. The respective rod 59 is mounted in the printing member 56 slidable in axial dire-ction between the illustrated position and the position illustrated in dash-and-dot line on the left side of FIG. 11.

Stationary cam members 65 are provided at both ends of the printing roller 20 and are secured by the attaching member 64 to the side walls 63 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. A set of selector keys 50 is provided which are respec:

tively connected by Bowden cable means 52 to selector.

members 152 which cooperate with associated operating members when the printing roller means 2c is at a standstill. By operation of one of the selector keys 50, the respective operating member can be shifted in axial direction to its operative position in which rollers and 62 are engaged by cam members 65 during rotation of the printing roller 20. Operating members in the inoperative position shown in FIG. 11, are not engaged by cam members 65. During each revolution of the printing roller 20,

all operating members in operative positions pass a return.

cam 68 and are returned to inoperative position after the respective printing member 56 has passed through the printing line. If it is desired to repeat the same printing ope-ration during consecutive revolutions of the printing roller 2c, the return cam means 68 is shifted to an inoperative position in which the catch ball 67a engages another notch in cam member 68, so that cam member 68 is held in an inoperative position in which it cannot return selected operating members to inoperative positions. In this manner, the same printing sections are printed during repeated revolutions of the printing roller means. Return cam 68 is shown in its operative position, and is shifted in direction of the arrow Q to its inoperative position.

The above described elements of FIGS. 9 to 11 operate in the following manner:

When it is desired to print selected printing sections of the printing form 3, the respective selector keys 50 are actuated and shift the associated operating members 59 to operative positions while the printing roller 20 is at a standstill. Thereupon the printing roller is rotated, and every time rollers 60, 62 of operating members in operative positions engage the projecting portions 66 (see FIG. 9) of cam members 65, the respective operating members are shifted in radial direction together with the printing members 56 associated therewith so that selected printing members 56 move outwardly in radial direction before passing through the printing line. In this manner the respective printing section of the printing form 3 is raised and effects an imprint when passing through the printing line between printing roller 20 and counter pressure roller 24. After the respective selected printing member 56 has passedthrough the printing line, the respective associated operating member is engaged by the return cam means 68 and shifted to its inoperative position. Before the next revolution of the printing roller 20, new printing sections can be selected by operation of the selector keys 50.

When it is desired to repeat printing of the same selected printing sections during repeated revolutions of the printing roller, the return cam member 68 is retracted to its inoperative positions so that it is passed by operating members 59 in operative positions whereby the operating members are not returned to inoperative positions.

This arrangement has an advantage, inasmuch as the printing members 56 are moved to printing positions shortly before they pass through the printing line, and are returned to inoperative positions after having passed through the printing line. In this manner, only a single printing member is in printing position at any time so that the printing form 3 is not particularly deformed. As previously explained, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 several printing members are simultaneously advanced so that several sections of the printing from are raised. This may cause a slight raising of sections of the printing form located intermediate raised sections of the printing form.

FIGS. 9 and 10 and 11 show the printing and duplicating machine according to the present invention provided with a further mechanism for printing selected sections of the printing form. A spring-loaded stepping mechanism 69 is mounted on shaft 1 and has a ratchet wheel 169 operated by a pawl 74. Shiftable cam means including two shiftable cam members 70 are operated by the stepping mechanism 69 when pawl 74 is actuated. As shown in FIG. 10, cam 70 engages an operating member and holds the same in its actuated position in which the printing member 56 is in printing position. Cam members 70 engage for this purpose a roller 61, and a portion of roller 66. Due to the axial length of rolls 6t and 61, cam members 70 remain in engagement with the respective operating member, even if the operating member is shifted in axial direction between its operative and inoperative position for the purpose of being operated by cam members 65, 66.

When the stepping mechanism 69 is operated, cam member 70 is shifted to its next following position in which it holds the next following printing member 56 in its printing position.

Two auxiliary cams 76 are pivotally mounted on cam member 70 and are connected by a spring which urges cams 76 against two eccentric members which are also turnable on cam 70. Each cam 76 is turnable between an inoperative position, illustrated for the left cam in FIG. 10, and an operative position, illustrated for the right cam 76 in FIG. 10. The eccentric members 75 are turnable between a position permitting the respective cam 76 to move to its inoperative position under the action of the spring 76a, and another position holding the respective cam 76 in operative position. In this manner,

If) one, two, or three operating members can be held in actuated positions in which the associated printing members 56 are in printing position.

The shifting means for the shiftable cam 70 can be manually operated while the printing roller 20 is at a standstill. A lever 72 is mounted on a shaft 73, and is operated by a rod 71. When rod 71 is moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 10, lever 72 shifts pawl 74 so that the spring-loaded ratchet wheel 169 moves one step together with cam 70. In this manner, a printing member 56 can be selected for printing, and if cams 76 are also shifted, three printing members can be placed in printing positions so that during the following revolutions of the printing roller, one, two, or three lines may be printed during each revolution.

Three stationary control members 77, 78, 79 are provided which are shifta-ble in radial direction as indicated by arrows. Each control members is shiftable between an outwardly located inoperative position and an inwardly located operative position in which it engages pawl 74 during rotation of the printing roller 20. The control members 77, 7'8, 79 are shown to be rolls which smoothly engage pawl 74. When only one control roll 77 is in its inner operative position, stepping mechanism 69 and cam 70 will be shifted one step during each revolution, as is particularly desirable if the two cams 76 are in inoperative positions. When two printing sections are selected, as shown in FIG. 10, by shifting one of cams 76 to operative position, two control rolls 77 and 7-8 are moved to the operative positions thereof so that the stepping mechanism is twice actuated during each revolution of the printing roller resulting in the printing of successive pairs of lines or printing sections during successive revolutions of the printing roller. It is evident that instead of the auxiliary cams 76 earns 70 having a wider engaging face can be provided for holding two printing members in printing positions. When it is desired to shift the cam 70, together with cams 76, three steps during each revolution, the third control roll 79 is also shifted inwardly to its operative position.

The above described stepwise movable cam means operate in the following manner: Before a printing operation is started, the cam 70 is shifted by operation of the manually operated control means 71, 72 to a position in which shiftable cam means 70, and if desired, 76, engage rolls 60 and 61 of selected operating members 59 and hold the respective printing members in printing position in which the respective printing sections of the printing form 3 are raised so as to engage a copy sheet passing between counter pressure roller 24 and printing roller means 2c.

Such a copy sheet 22 is shown in FIG. 9 together with the conventional transporting rollers 220 and a moistening device 221. At the same time the selector means 50 may be operated to shift selected operating members 59 to operative positions in which they are engaged by earns during rotation of the printing roller.

During the first revolution of the printing roller selected printing sections are printed under control of cams 65, 6'6, and other selected printing sections are printed under control of earns 70, and 76. During the next following operation, the return cam means 68 may be retracted to its inoperative position so that the previously selected operating members remain in operative positions and effect again through printing members 56 associated therewith printing of the same printing sections as during the first revolution. However, earns and 76 are shifted by the stepping mechanism 69 through a number of steps determined by operative control members 77, 78 and 79. Of course, such shifting takes place after the respective associated printing members have passed through the printing line. During the following revolution, another operating member and printing member is held by cam 70 in printing position so that during each successive revolution of the printing roller a different section, or dif- 1 1 ferent sections of the printing form are reproduced under control of cam 70 and cams 76.

The stepping mechanism 69 is spring-loaded, and can be wound up through wheel 89, gears 81, 82, shaft 83, and gear 84 until earns 70 and 76, are again in their in itial position.

When printing members 56 are moved to printing positions, the flexible printing form 3 is pushed outwardly, and moves slightly in peripheral direction of the printing roller. When printing members 56 are retracted, the friction means 85 sliding on the printing form urges the same to move to its initial position lying on the surfaces of retracted printing members 56. The resilient holding means 202 for the printing form serve the same purpose.

FIG. 12 illustrates a further modified embodiment of the present invention in which the operating members 59 are controlled by electromagnetic means. The illustrated device effects printing of successive sections of the printing form 3 in the same manner as elements 69, 7t), 72, 74 and 77 in the arrangement described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 10. Consequently, the shiftable arrangement of FIG. 12 can be combined with the cam arrangement 65, 66 and selector means 59 described with reference to FIG. 11.

Referring now to FIG. 12, each printing member 56 supports an operating member 59 for axial movement. Each operating member 59 has at the ends thereof rolls 60 and 62 which cooperate With stationary cam means 95 mounted on the supporting walls 63 of the machine. Each operating member is shiftable between an inoperative position as shown in solid lines, and an operative position as shown in dash-and-dot lines in which rolls 60 and 62 engage cams 95 during rotation of the printing roller 2a. Printing members 56 are again movable in radial direction and are urged by springs 57, '58 to an inner position in which they are inoperative. When rolls 60, 62 are engaged by earns 95, the respective operating member is shifted outwardly together with printing member 56 associated therewith whereby the respective section of the printing form 3 is held in a position in which it will produce an imprint on the copy sheet. A stepping mechanism 93 is mounted on shaft 1 and carries electromagnetic means 90 which is radially spaced from the axis of rotation of printing roller 2d the same distance as the operatingmembers 59, 6d. The stepping mechanism 93 is of the same type as described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9, l and 11, and is provided with manually operated means 71, 72, and at least one control member 77, as shown in FIG. 10. Operation of control means 71, 72 while the printing roller is at a standstill, effects stepwise movement of electromagnetic means 99 until the same is located opposite a selected operating member 59, 60. The electromagnetic means 90 can now be energized for shifting the res ective operating member 59, 60 to its operative position. The electromagnetic means 90 may then be moved to another position, for shifting another operating member to operative position. After the respective printing members have passed through the printing line, the operating members 59, 60, 62 are returned by an electromagnetic return means 94 to inoperative position. It is preferred to use the shiftable electromagnetic means 90 for effecting the printing of successive printing sections during successive revolutions of the printing roller, in the same manner as effected by cam 70 in the arrangement of FIGS. 9 to 11. Electromagnetic means 90 is first placed in a position located opposite a selected operating member 95, 60 while the printing roller is at a standstill. This is effected by operation of members 71, 72. The printing roller is driven through a one-revolution clutch, and a circuit is provided for energizing electromagnetic means 90 at the start of rotation of printing roller 2d. Electromagnetic means 99 is energized, and attacts operating members 59, 6!) tomove the same to its operative position. When the l2 a respective rolls 60, 62 pass cam members 95, the respective operating member is outwardly shifted together with printing member 56 to effect printing of the thus selected printing section. Shortly before termination of the first revolution of the' printing roller, stepping mechanism 93 is actuated by a control member 77 to perform a step, or several steps, as desired. After the respective printing member has passed to the printing line, electromagnetic means 95 returns the respective operating member from its operative position to its inoperative position. Before the next revolution starts, electromagnetic means 90 is to 12, can also be provided on the counter pressure roller 24 for pressing selected sections of the copy sheet against the printing form, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

It will be un erstood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of printing and duplicating machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention hasbeen illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for printing selected sections of a printing form, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing machine, in combination, printing roller means having an axis, of rotation and including means for holding a printing form having sections for columns or lines of characters extending parallel to said axis and disposed around the periphery of said printing roller means, said printing roller means having a peripheral circular surface portion for supporting the printing form and extending over a circumferential. arc of predetermined circumferential length correlated with the circumferential extension of the printing form; counter pressure roller means having an axis of rotation parallel to said axis of rotation of said printing roller means and having a peripheral surface whose circumference is at least equal to said predetermined circumferential length, said peripheral surface defining with said printing roller means a printing plane passing through said axes of said roller means; a plurality of printing members having a number corresponding to the greatest number of sections to be printed, being elongated in axial direction, disposed about the periphery, and mounted on said peripheral surface of said counterpressure roller means along a circumferential are having substantially said predetermined length movable in radial direction between a retracted inoperative position and an advanced printing position, said pressure faces being narrow and elongated, extending in axial direction of said printing roller means and defining in said advanced printing positions of the respec- 13 tive printing members a printing line with the peripheral surface of said printing roller means when passing through said printing plane whereby copy sheets supplied to the bight between a printing form on said printing roller means and said counter pressure roller means and passing through said printing line are imprinted only by sections of said printing form located between the respective corresponding pressure faces of said printing members in said printing position and the peripheral surface of said printing roller means; and control means for selectively moving each of said printing members to and from said printing position thereof for selecting desired sections of said printing form for printing.

2. A printing machine comprising, in combination, printing roller means having an axis of rotation and including means for holding a printing form having a plurality of printing sections associated with lines, paragraphs, or columns of a text; counter pressure roller means having an axis of rotation parallel to said axis of rotation of said printing roller means and defining with the same a printing plane passing through said axes of rotation; means for rotating said roller means in synchronism; means for supplying copy sheets to the bight between said roller means and to said printing plane; a plurality of printing members respectively associated with said printing sections of said printing form, each of said printing members being mounted on one of said roller means movable between a retracted inoperative position and an advanced printing position, said printing members havin narrow elongated smooth pressure faces located adjacent each other and having areas matching corresponding sections of the printing form, said pressure faces defining in said advanced printing positions of the respective printing members a printing line with the peripheral surface of the other of said roller means when passing through said printing plane whereby copy sheets supplied to said printing line are imprinted only by sections of said printing form located between the respective corresponding pressure faces of said printing members and the peripheral surface of said other roller means; a plurality of operating means including electromagnetic means, operating members mounted on said one roller means and respectively connected to said electromagnetic means and to said printing members for moving the latter to and from said advanced printing position under control of said electromagnetic means; a plurality of slip rings respectively associated with said operating means and printing sections and mounted on said one roller means for rotation therewith; a plurality of slide contacts respectively sliding on said slip rings; a plurality of circuit means respectively connecting said siip rings and said electromagnetic means, and each including a switch; and selector means movable to and from actuated positions for selectively operating said switches for selectively actuating said electromagnetic means so that by operation of said printing positions for printing selected sections of said printing form on said copy sheets.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said printing members are elongated, extend in axial direction of said one roller means, and are guided in the same for movement in radial direction to and from said advanced printing position; and wherein said operating members are guided in said one roller means for movement in axial direction and have cam means for engaging an associated printing member for moving the same to said printing position during axial shifting of said operating members.

4. A printing machine comprising, in combination, printing roller means having an axis of rotation and including means for holding a printing form having a plurality of printing sections associated with lines, paragraphs, or columns of a text and extending parallel to said axis and disposed around the periphery of said printing roller means; counter pressure roller means having an axis of rotation parallel to said axis of rotation of said printing rollers means and defining with the same a printing plane passing through said axes of rotation; means for rotating said roller means in sychronism; means for supplying copy sheets to the bight between said roller means and to said printing plane; a plurality of printing members respectively associated with said printing sections of said printing form, each of said printing members being mounted on one of said roller means movable between a retracted inoperative position and an advanced printing position, said printing members being disposed about the periphery of said one roller means and having narrow elongated smooth pressure faces located adjacent each other and having areas matching corresponding peripherally extending sections of the printing form, said pressure faces extending in axial direction and defining in said advanced printing positions of the respective printing members a printing line with the peripheral surface of the other of said roller means when passing through said printing plane whereby copy sheets supplied to said printing line are imprinted only by sections of said printing form located between the respectively corresponding pressure faces of printing members in said printing position and the peripheral surface of said other roller means, wherein said printing members are guided in said one roller means for movement in radial direction to and from said advanced printing position; operating means including operating members mounted within said one roller means and respectively connected to said printing members for moving the same to and from said advanced printing positions, wherein each of said operating means includes an operating member guided in said one roller means for movement in axial direction and having cam means engaging an associated printing member for moving the same to said printing position during axial shifting of said operating member; and selector means connected to said operating members for rendering the same selectively operative so that selected printing members are moved to said printing position for printing selected sections of said printing form on said copy sheets, wherein said selector means include a plurality of manually operated members fixedly connected to said operating members, respectively, and projecting in axial direction from an end face of said one roller means.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said printing members are elongated, extend in axial direction of said one roller means, and are guided in the same for movement in radial direction to and from said advanced printing position, each of said printing members including cam follower roller means; and wherein each of said operating means includes an operating member guided in said one roller means for movement in axial direction and having cam means for engaging said cam follower roller means of an associated printing member for moving the same to said printing position during axial shifting of said operating members; wherein each of said electromagnetic means is connected to one of said operating members for shifting the same to a shifted position in which said printing members are held in said advanced printing position; first spring means connected to said operating members for returning the same from the shifted position to an inoperative position; and second spring means connected to said printing members for urging the same to said retracted inoperative position.

6. A. machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said one roller means includes a pair of end plates, each of said end plates being formed with a plurality of radial slots, wherein each of said printing members has a main portion located between said end plates and includes a pair of guide pins projecting from said main portions in opposite direction and being slidably guided in associated radial slots of said end plates; and wherein said selector means includes a plurality of selector keys respectively associated with said switches and with sections of said printing form.

7. A printing machine comprising, in combination,

printing roller means having an axis of rotation and including means for holding a printing form having a plurality of printing sections associated with lines, paragraphs, or columns of a text; counter pressure roller means having an axis of rotation parallel to said axis of rotation of said printing roller means and defining with the same a printing plane passing through said axes of rotation; means for rotating said roller means in synchronism; means for supplying copy sheets to the bight between said roller means and to said printing plane; a plurality of printing members respectively associated with said printing sections of said printing form, each of said printing members being mounted onone of said roller means movable between a retracted inoperative position and an advanced printing position, said printing members having narrow elongated smooth pressure faces located adjacent each other in axial direction and having areas matching corresponding peripherally extending sections of the printing form, said pressure faces being of at-least partly cylindrical shape concentric with the axis of said one roller means and defining in said advanced printing positions of the respective printing members an interrupted printing line with the peripheral surface of the other of said roller means when passing through said printing plane whereby copy sheets supplied to said printing line are imprinted only by sections of said printing form located between a printing form on the pressure faces of said printing members and the peripheral surface of said other roller means; a plurality of operating means mounted in a cavity of said one roller means and respectively connected to said printing members for moving the same to and from said advanced printing positions, each operating means including an electromagnetic means, lever means turnably mounted in said one roller means and connected to said electromagnetic means, and spring means for opposing the action of said electromagnetic means on said lever means; and selector means electrically connected to said electromagnetic means of said operating means for selectively actuating the same so that selected printing members are moved to said printing position for printing selected sections of said printing form on said copysheets.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said one roller means is formed with a plurality of transverse slots in the periphery thereof, each slot slidably guiding one of said printing members and communicating with said cavity, wherein each of said printing members includes two end portions located in said cavity and articuiated to said lever means, and wherein each of said lever means includes a pair of toggle levers movable to a straightened position for holding said printing members in said advanced printing position.

9. A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said selector means include a set of selector keys, a set of switches respectively associated with said selector keys, and a set of circuit means respectively connecting said switches with said electromagnetic means, said selector keys being respectively associated with said printing sections of the printing form so that by operation of selected keys, selected printing members are moved to advanced printing positions for effecting printing of selected sections of said printing form.

10. In a printing machine, in combination, rotary printing roller means having an axis of rotation and including holding means for holding the printing form; counter pressure roller means having an axis of rotation parallel to said axis of rotation of said printing roller means and defining with said printing roller means a printing plane passing through said axes of said roller means; a plurality of printing members mounted on one of said roller means adjacent each other, said printing members having smooth pressure faces having areas matching corresponding sections of the printing form, each printing member being movable between an inoperative position and a printing position defining a printing line with the peripheral surface of the other of said roller means when passing through said printing plane whereby copy sheets passing through said printing line are imprinted only by sections of said printing form located between the respec-' tive corresponding pressure faces of said printing members in said printing position and the peripheral surface of said other roller means; operating means for moving said printing members to and from said printing position and including stationary cam means and a plurality of operating members mounted on said one roller means and respectively connected to said printing members, each operating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, said cam means engaging operating members in said operative position during rotation of said one roller means and shifting engaged operating members together with the respective printing members for moving said printing members to said printing position; and selector means associated with said operating members for selectively shifting operating members to said operative position so that selected printing members are moved to said printing position for printing selective sections of the printing form on copy sheets, said selector means including stationary electromagnetic means successively passed by said operating members during rotation of said one roller means, said electromagnetic means shifting operating members between said inoperative and operative positions for shifting the respective associated printing members to and from said printing position.

11. In a printing 'machine, in combination, rotary printing roller means having an axis of rotation and including holding means for holding the printing form; counter pressure roller means having an axis of rotation parallel to said axis of rotation of said printing roller means and defining with said printing roller means a printing plane passing through said axes of said roller means; a plurality of printing members mounted on one of said roller means adjacent each other, said printing members having smooth pressure faces having areas matching corresponding sections of the printing form,

each printing member being movable between an inoperative position and a printing position defining a printing line with the peripheral surface of the other of said roller means when passing through said printing plane whereby copy sheets passing through said printingline are imprinted only by sections of said printing form located between the respective corresponding pressure faces of said printing members in said printing position and the peripheral surface of said other roller means; operating means for moving said printing members to and from said printing position and including stationary cam means anda plurality of operating members mounted on said one roller means and respectively connected to said printing members, each operating member being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, said cam means engaging operating members in said operative position during rotation of said one roller means and shifting engaged operating members together with the respective printing members for moving said printing members to said printing position; and selector means associated with said operating members for selectively shifting operating members to said operative position so that selected printing members are moved to said printing position for printing selective sections of the printing form on copy sheets, said selector means including first and second electromagnetic means successively passed by said operating members during rotation of said one roller means, said first electromagnetic means shifting an operating member located opposite the same to said operative position While said one roller means is at a standstill, and said second electromagnetic means shifting operative operating members passing the same to said inoperative position for returning said printing members to said inoperative position.

A P nting ma h e 15 claimed in claim 1- where- 17 in said printing roller means has the same diameter as 1,857,918 5/1932 said counterpressure roller means. 1,935,799 11/ 1933 1,971,858 8/1934 References Cited 5,005,038 6/ 1935 5 ,012,670 8/1935 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 034 20 3 193 11/1924 Carroll 101 93 2,164,852 7/ 1939 9/1927 Priestley 101-92 5132 3/1931 Langdon 101-91 3/1931 Mack 1o1 91 10 2,866,406 12/1958 3/1931 Kohler 101-91 Kohler 10191 Jamison 10192 Knutsen 101-91 Kalman 10191 Mack 10191 X Ritzerfeld 101-132.5 Zimmerman 101-91 Higgins 101-92 Allen 101--142 Ritzerfeld 101-91 X WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A PRINTING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION, PRINTING ROLLER MEANS HAVING AN AXIS OF ROTATION AND INCLUDING MEANS FOR HOLDING A PRINTING FORM HAVING SECTIONS FOR COLUMNS OR LINES OF CHARACTERS EXTENDING PARALLEL TO SAID AXIS AND DISPOSED AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER MEANS, SAID PRINTING ROLLER MEANS HAVING A PERIPHERAL CIRCULAR SURFACE PORTION FOR SUPPORTING THE PRINTING FORM AND EXTENDING OVER A CIRCUMFERENTIAL ARC OF PREDETERMINED CIRCUMFERENTIAL LENGTH CORRELATED WITH THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL EXTENSION OF THE PRINTING FORM; COUNTER PRESSURE ROLLER MEANS HAVING AN AXIS OF ROTATION PARALLEL TO SAID AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER MEANS AND HAVING A PERIPHERAL SURFACE WHOSE CIRCUMFERENCE IS AT LEAST EQUAL TO SAID PREDETERMINED CIRCUMFERENTIAL LENGTH, SAID PERIPHERAL SURFACE DEFINING WITH SAID PRINTING ROLLER MEANS A PRINTING PLANE PASSING THROUGH SAID AXES OF SAID ROLLER MEANS; A PLURALITY OF PRINTING MEMBERS HAVING A NUMBER CORRESPONDING TO THE GREATEST NUMBER OF SECTIONS TO BE PRINTED, BEING ELONGATED IN AXIAL DIRECTION, DISPOSED ABOUT THE PERIPHERY, AND MOUNTED ON SAID PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF SAID COUNTERPRESSURE ROLLER MEANS ALONG A CIRCUMFERENTIAL ARC HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY SAID PREDETERMINED LENGTH MOVABLE IN RADIAL DIRECTION BETWEEN A RETRACTED INOPERATIVE POSITION AND AN ADVANCED PRINTING POSITION, SAID PRESSURE FACES BEING NARROW AND ELONGATED, EXTENDING IN AXIAL DIRECTION OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER MEANS AND DEFINING IN SAID ADVANCED PRINTING POSITIONS OF THE RESPECTIVE PRINTING MEMBERS A PRINTING LINE WITH THE PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER MEANS WHEN PASSING THROUGH SAID PRINTING PLANE WHEREBY COPY SHEETS SUPPLIED TO THE BIGHT BETWEEN A PRINTING FORM ON SAID PRINTING ROLLER MEANS AND SAID COUNTER PRESSURE ROLLER MEANS AND PASSING THROUGH SAID PRINTING LINE ARE IMPRINTED ONLY BY SECTIONS OF SAID PRINTING FORM LOCATED BETWEEN THE RESPECTIVE CORRESPONDING PRESSURE FACES OF SAID PRINTING MEMBERS IN SAID PRINTING POSITION AND THE PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER MEANS; AND CONTROL MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY MOVING EACH OF SAID PRINTING MEMBERS TO AND FROM SAID PRINTING POSITION THEREOF FOR SELECTING DESIRED SECTIONS OF SAID PRINTING FORM FOR PRINTING. 